What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSqualane
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveCalcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Chloride
Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingPropanediol
SolventSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Panthenol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Allantoin, Ectoin, Ceramide NP, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Phytosphingosine, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Betaine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Tromethamine, Propanediol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterNiacinamide
SmoothingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingMethylpropanediol
SolventTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantMyristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningBis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol
EmollientOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDihydroxyisopropyl Palmoylpalmamide
HumectantWater, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Octyldodecanol, Decyl Glucoside, Methylpropanediol, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Polyquaternium-51, Beta-Glucan, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol, Oleanolic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Dihydroxyisopropyl Palmoylpalmamide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is a plant-derived emulsifier whose only job is to keep the oily and watery parts of a formula blended so it doesn't separate into layers.
It's compatible with a wide-range of active ingredients and especially good at making emulsions survive heat/freeze cycles.
Typical use concentrations range from 2-3% and it works across a pH of 4.5-8.5.
This ingredient has been found safe to use in cosmetics and has a low irritation profile.
Because it's build on stearic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that falls within the range (C11-24) that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water